The revolutionary spirit of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti comes alive in FELA: Music Is the Weapon, a bold new graphic novel by Toronto creators Jibola Fagbamiye and Conor McCreery. Blending history and imagination, the book captures the life, politics, and enduring cultural influence of one of music’s most fearless voices.
Toronto has long been a creative crossroads where global cultures intersect, and this fall, one of Africa’s most influential musical icons will be celebrated in an innovative way. On October 7, FELA: Music Is the Weapon (HarperCollins/Amistad) will launch worldwide, offering readers a powerful visual and narrative exploration of Fela Kuti—the Nigerian musician, political activist, and founder of Afrobeat. This striking graphic novel is the work of Toronto-based illustrator Jibola Fagbamiye and writer Conor McCreery, two artists whose talents merge to capture the life of a man whose art was inseparable from his fight for justice.
At its heart, the book is more than a biography. It is a vivid journey through Fela’s transformation from a talented musician to a fearless agitator against corruption and oppression in Nigeria. His story includes his arrest over 200 times, his confrontation with power, and his refusal to ever back down. Both surreal and historical in tone, the novel draws readers into the larger-than-life presence of Fela, a figure who redefined music and reshaped political consciousness.
Fagbamiye’s artwork delivers bold, expressive illustrations that echo the vibrancy of Afrobeat itself. Known for his previous work illustrating Promise That You Will Sing About Me: The Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar, he infuses Fela’s world with a mix of African history, visual dynamism, and the energy of protest. Complementing this visual force is McCreery’s writing, a blend of wit and historical precision that captures the voice of an artist who was as mischievous as he was uncompromising. McCreery, best known as the co-creator of the acclaimed Kill Shakespeare series, brings the same sharp storytelling to Fela’s epic saga.
The release of FELA: Music Is the Weapon comes at a moment when afrobeats—the contemporary genre pioneered by Kuti’s Afrobeat sound—dominates global airwaves. Artists such as Burna Boy, WizKid, and Davido consistently acknowledge Fela as a towering influence. His sons, Femi and Seun Kuti, carry forward his legacy, ensuring that his vision of music as a tool for resistance remains a powerful force. For readers, this graphic novel provides both a celebration of his music and a deeper understanding of the man behind the legend.
The Story of Fela Kuti
To appreciate the scope of this project, it’s worth revisiting Fela’s extraordinary life. After encountering the Black Panther movement during his time in the United States, Fela’s worldview underwent a dramatic shift. His music evolved into a tool for defiance, giving voice to Nigeria’s marginalized and confronting the abuses of those in power. His fearless performances, infused with biting political commentary, made him both a beloved figure among the people and a relentless thorn in the side of military regimes.
The novel channels this duality: the musician who electrified audiences with “sex, drugs, and Afrobeat,” and the activist who faced state violence for refusing to silence his art.
The artists behind the vision
Jibola Fagbamiye, born in Nigeria and now based in Toronto, brings a diasporic perspective to his work. His art has been exhibited in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, and Lagos, bridging continents much like Fela’s own influence. Beyond this project, Fagbamiye has contributed to acclaimed works, including Black AF: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America.
Conor McCreery is a journalist-turned-writer who has carved a respected place in the comic book world. In addition to Kill Shakespeare, his credits include major franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Adventure Time. His career reflects an ability to weave humour, depth, and accessibility into stories that appeal to diverse audiences. Together, McCreery and Fagbamiye offer a creative pairing that honours Fela’s complexity with both reverence and boldness.
A timely contribution
The launch of FELA: Music Is the Weapon underscores the growing global appetite for stories from the African continent told with authenticity and artistry. As afrobeats continues to redefine global music charts, revisiting the roots of the movement in Fela’s story is both timely and necessary. For younger generations discovering African music today, this novel offers a visually striking bridge to its origins.
Final thoughts
With FELA: Music Is the Weapon, readers are invited into a story that is at once historical, political, and deeply human. By blending evocative visuals with sharp writing, the book reintroduces one of the most uncompromising voices of the 20th century to a new generation. Fela Kuti’s refusal to be silenced, his radical creativity, and his insistence on linking music with activism remain urgent and inspiring.
This release is also a reminder of Toronto’s role as a hub where diasporic creativity thrives. Through Fagbamiye and McCreery’s collaboration, Fela’s story has been reimagined for global audiences, ensuring that his vision continues to reverberate across time, space, and genre. For lovers of music, history, or the graphic novel form, this October release promises a transformative reading experience that resonates far beyond the page.
